Mountain Gorilla[1]
Conservation status
Critically endangered [2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Hominidae Genus: Gorilla Species: G. beringei Subspecies: G. b. berengei
Trinomial name
Gorilla berengei berengei Matschie, 1914

The Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei^[1]) is one of two species of Eastern Gorillas. There are two groups. One is found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa, within 4 national parks: Mgahinga, in south-west Uganda; Volcanoes, in north-west Rwanda; and Virunga and Kahuzi-Biéga, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The other is found in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (can't get through). Some say that the Bwindi group in Uganda is a 3rd species, though no description has been finished. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species continuing to survive either in the present day or the future. ... Image File history File links Status_iucn3. ... . ... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Typical Classes See below Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates. ... Subclasses & Infraclasses Subclass †Allotheria* Subclass Prototheria Subclass Theria Infraclass †Trituberculata Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria Mammals (class Mammalia) are warm-blooded, vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of sweat glands, including milk producing sweat glands, and by the presence of: hair, three middle ear bones used in hearing, and a neocortex... Families 15, See classification A primate is any member of the biological order Primates, the group that contains all the species commonly related to the lemurs, monkeys, and apes, with the latter category including humans. ... Genera The hominids are the members of the biological family Hominidae (the great apes), which includes humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. ... Type species Troglodytes gorilla Savage, 1847 distribution of Gorilla Species Gorilla gorilla Gorilla beringei The gorilla, the largest of the living primates, is a ground-dwelling omnivore that inhabits the forests of Africa. ... Binomial name Gorilla beringei Matschie, 1903 Subspecies G. b. ... Trinomial nomenclature is a taxonomic naming system that extends the standard system of binomial nomenclature by adding a third taxon. ... Paul Matschie (1861 – 1926) was a German zoologist. ... For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ... Christiaan Toussaint (born on May 20, 1987) and Jurgen Lomp (born on January 23, 1988) are two promosing Tech Trance producers under the name of Virunga. ... This article is about national parks. ... This article needs to be wikified. ... Altitude: 2400–4507 m Physical Features: The park includes part of the Virunga Volcanic mountain range. ... The Virunga National Park lies in the Virunga Mountains of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, bordering Volcans National Park in Rwanda and Rwenzori National Park in Uganda. ... Kahuzi-Biéga National Park is in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, 50 km west of the town of Bukavu in the Kivu Region, near to the western side of Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border. ... The Democratic Republic of the Congo, called Zaïre between 1971 and 1997, is a nation in central Africa. ... Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, largely contained within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP), comprises a large primeval forest in East Africa at altitudes spanning from 1,160 to 2,607 meters. ... The Bwindi Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei), found only in the rain forests of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest comprises half the worlds endangered population of about 600 Mountain Gorillas. ...

Description

The Mountain Gorilla has longer and darker hair than other gorilla species, allowing it to live at hot or cold weather and travel into areas where temperatures drop below 32 degrees. It has chose to a life on the ground more than any other non-human primate, and its feet most resemble those of humans. Gorillas can be identified by nose prints unique to each individual; researchers often use pictures and drawings of noses for information about yourself and watching. , with boys usually weighing 2 times as much as the girl, adult males also have more pronounced boney crests on the top and back of their skulls, giving their heads a more conical shape. These crests anchor the massive muscles of their large mouth bones. Adult females also have these crests, but they are much less pronounced. This article is about modern humans. ... Families 15, See classification A primate is any member of the biological order Primates, the group that contains all the species commonly related to the lemurs, monkeys, and apes, with the latter category including humans. ...

Adult males are called silverbacks. a saddle of gray or silver-colored hair develops on their backs. The hair on their backs is shorter than on most other body parts, and their arm hair is especially long. Upright, males reach 1.5–1.8 m (5–6 ft) in height, with an arm span of 2.25 m (7 ft 6 in) and weigh 204–227 kg (450–500 lb).^[3]

The Mountain Gorilla is primarily terrestrial and quadrupedal. However, it will climb into fruiting trees if the branches can carry its weight, and it is capable of running bipedally up to 6 m (20 ft). Like all great apes other than humans, its arms are longer than its legs. It moves by knuckle-walking (like the Common Chimpanzee, but unlike the Bonobo and both orangutan species), supporting its weight on the backs of its curved fingers rather than its palms. Terrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land, as compared with aquatic animals, which live predominantly or entirely in the water (e. ... A quadruped is an animal having exactly four walking legs. ... Binomial name (Blumenbach, 1775) distribution of Common Chimpanzee. ... For other uses, see Bonobo (disambiguation). ... This article is about the primate. ...

The Mountain Gorilla is diurnal, most active between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Many of these hours are spent eating, as large quantities of food are needed to sustain its massive bulk. It forages in early morning, rests during the late morning and around midday, and in the afternoon it forages again before resting at night. Each gorilla builds a nest from surrounding vegetation to sleep in, constructing a new one every evening. Only infants sleep in the same nest as their mothers. They leave their sleeping sites when the sun rises at around 6 am, except when it is cold and overcast; then they often stay longer in their nests.^[4] A diurnal animal (dī-ŭrnəl) is an animal that is active during the daytime and sleeps during the night. ... Foraging just means looking for food (or, metaphorically, anything else). ...

Habitat and diet

Adult male feeding on insects in rotting tree trunk

The Mountain Gorilla inhabits the Albertine Rift montane cloud forests of the Virunga Volcanoes, ranging in altitude from 2225 to 4267 m (7300-14000 ft). Most are found on the slopes of three of the dormant volcanoes: Karisimbi, Mikeno, and Visoke.^[5] The vegetation is very dense at the bottom of the mountains, becoming more sparse at higher elevations, and the forests where the Mountain Gorilla lives are often cloudy, misty and cold.^[6] Image File history File links Mountain_gorilla_finger_detail. ... Image File history File links Mountain_gorilla_finger_detail. ... The Albertine Rift montane forests are a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion of central Africa. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Christiaan Toussaint (born on May 20, 1987) and Jurgen Lomp (born on January 23, 1988) are two promosing Tech Trance producers under the name of Virunga. ... Mount Karisimbi is a dormant volcano in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda. ...

The Mountain Gorilla is primarily an herbivore; the majority of its diet is composed of the leaves, shoots and stems (85.8%) of 142 plant species. It also feeds on bark (6.9%), roots (3.3%), flowers (2.3%), and fruit (1.7%), as well as small invertebrates. (0.1%).^[7] Adult males can eat up to 34 kg (75 lb) of vegetation a day, while a female can eat as much as 18 kg (40 lb).

The home range size (the area used by one group of gorillas during one year) is influenced by availability of food sources and usually includes several vegetation zones. George Schaller identified ten distinct zones, including: the bamboo forests at 2225–2804 m (7300–9200 ft); the Hagenia forests at 2804–3353 m (9200–11000 ft); and the giant senecio zone at 3444–4267 m (11300–14000 ft).^[4] The Mountain Gorilla spends most of its time in the Hagenia forests, where gallium vines are found year-round. All parts of this vine are consumed: leaves, stems, flowers, and berries. It travels to the bamboo forests during the few months of the year fresh shoots are available, and it climbs into subalpine regions to eat the soft centers of giant senecio trees.^[5] Dr. George Schaller at a lecture in Beijing Zoo on Aug. ... Binomial name Hagenia abyssinica Willd. ... For other uses, see Bamboo (disambiguation). ... // Summary The subalpine Biome is a geographic and altitudinal region found below Tree-line and above the montane. ...

Reproduction

Adult female breastfeeding

A newborn gorilla weighs about 1.8 kg (4 lb), and spends its first few months of life in constant physical contact with its mother. In its first few months of life, infant Mountain Gorillas ride on their mother's backs. At an earlier stage, the mother will almost constantly be holding the infant. It begins to walk at around four or five months, and starts to put plant parts in its mouth between four and six months. At eight months it regularly ingests solid food.^[8] Weaning occurs around three years of age, although juveniles may remain with their mothers for years after that.^[9] Image File history File links Mountain_gorilla_breast_feeding. ... Image File history File links Mountain_gorilla_breast_feeding. ... A breastfeeding infant Breastfeeding is the practice of a woman feeding an infant (or sometimes a toddler or a young child) with milk produced from her mammary glands, usually directly from the nipples. ...

Infant less than one month old

Young male and female gorillas are considered infants from birth until three years of age, juvenile between the ages of about three and six, and subadult from six to about eight years old. Blackbacks are sexually immature males from around eight years until they have developed the silver saddle and large canines of maturity.^[10] Females begin to ovulate at 7 or 8 years of age and have their first infant between the ages of 10 and 12. Males, generally do not start breeding before the age of 15.^[11] Image File history File links Mountain_gorilla_newborn. ... Image File history File links Mountain_gorilla_newborn. ... Ovulation is the process in the menstrual cycle by which a mature ovarian follicle ruptures and discharges an ovum (also known as an oocyte, female gamete, or casually, an egg) that participates in reproduction. ...

The Mountain Gorilla has no mating season and females usually initiate mating behavior. The length of their menstrual cycle is about 28 days with 1-3 fertile days, and ovulation ceases for 3–5 years after reproducing. The length of gestation is eight and a half months. Females generally bear one infant every 6 to 8 years, and may leave only 2–6 offspring over a 40 year life span. Males that have harems of 3–4 females increase their reproductive output by fathering 10-20 offspring over 50 years.^[9] Menstrual cycle In the female reproductive system, the menstrual cycle is a recurring cycle of physiologic changes that occurs in reproductive age females of several mammals, including human beings and other apes. ... Gestation is the carrying of an embryo or fetus inside a female viviparous animal. ... For other uses, see Harem (disambiguation). ...

Social structure

The Mountain Gorilla is highly social, and lives in relatively stable, cohesive groups held together by long-term bonds between adult males and females. Relationships among females are relatively weak.^[12] These groups are nonterritorial; the silverback generally defends his group rather than his territory. In the Virunga Mountain Gorillas, the average length of tenure for a dominant silverback is 4.7 years.^[13] Social refers to human society or its organization. ...

61% of groups are composed of one adult male and a number of females and 36% contain more than one adult male. The remaining gorillas are either lone males or exclusively male groups, usually made up of one mature male and a few younger males.^[14] Group sizes vary from five to thirty, with an average of ten individuals. A typical group contains: one silverback, who is the group's undisputed leader; one or two blackbacks, who act as sentries; three to four sexually mature females, who are ordinarily bonded to the dominant silverback for life; and from three to six juveniles and infants.^[15]

Most males, and about 60% of females, leave their natal group. Males leave when they are about 11 years old, and often the separation process is slow: they spend more and more time on the edge of the group until they leave altogether.^[9]

The dominant silverback generally determines the movements of the group, leading it to appropriate feeding sites throughout the year. He also mediates conflicts within the group and protects it from external threats.^[6] He is the center of attention during rest sessions, and young animals frequently stay close to him and include him in their games. If a mother dies or leaves the group, the silverback is usually the one who looks after his abandoned offspring, even allowing them to sleep in his nest.^[16] Experienced silverbacks are capable of removing poachers' snares from the hands or feet of their group members.^[17] For statistical mediation, see Mediation (Statistics). ...

When the dominant silverback dies or is killed by disease, accident, or poachers, the family group may be severely disrupted.^[5] Unless he leaves behind a male descendant capable of taking over his position, the group will either split up or be taken over in its entirety by an unrelated male. When a new silverback takes control of a family group, he may kill all of the infants of the dead silverback.^[18] This practice of infanticide is an effective reproductive strategy, in that the newly acquired females are then able to conceive the new male's offspring. Infanticide has not been observed in stable groups.

Behavior

Aggression

Severe aggression is rare in stable groups, but when two Mountain Gorilla groups meet, the two silverbacks can sometimes engage in a fight to the death, using their canines to cause deep, gaping injuries.^[15] For this reason, conflicts are most often resolved by displays and other threat behaviors that are intended to intimidate without becoming physical. The ritualized charge display is unique to gorillas.^[19] The entire sequence has nine steps: (1) progressively quickening hooting, (2) symbolic feeding, (3) rising bipedally, (4) throwing vegetation, (5) chest-beating with cupped hands, (6) one leg kick, (7) sideways running, two-legged to four-legged, (8) slapping and tearing vegetation, and (9) thumping the ground with palms to end display.^[20] In psychology and other social and behavioral sciences, aggression refers to behavior that is intended to cause harm or pain. ... For other senses of this word, see ritual (disambiguation). ...

Affiliation

Young gorilla 2-3 years old

The midday rest period is an important time for establishing and reinforcing relationships within the group. Mutual grooming reinforces social bonds, and helps keep hair free from dirt and parasites. It is not as common among gorillas as in other primates, although females groom their offspring regularly. Young gorillas play often and are more arboreal than the large adults. Playing helps them learn how to communicate and behave within the group. Activities include wrestling, chasing and somersaults. The silverback and his females tolerate and even participate if encouraged.^[19] Image File history File links Mountain_gorilla_toddler. ... Image File history File links Mountain_gorilla_toddler. ... The kinkajou is an arboreal mammal. ...

Vocalization

Twenty-five distinct vocalizations are recognized, many of which are used primarily for group communication within dense vegetation. Sounds classified as grunts and barks are heard most frequently while traveling, and indicate the whereabouts of individual group members.^[21] They may also be used during social interactions when discipline is required. Screams and roars signal alarm or warning, and are produced most often by silverbacks. Deep, rumbling belches suggest contentment and are heard frequently during feeding and resting periods. They are the most common form of intragroup communication.^[15] In animals, vocalization is a means of communication generated in many cases by their primitive versions of vocal chords. ...

Fears

For reasons unknown, Mountain Gorillas that have been studied appear to be naturally afraid of certain reptiles. Infants, whose natural behavior is to chase anything that moves, will go out of their way to avoid chameleons and caterpillars. Koko, the gorilla trained in sign language, is afraid of crocodiles and alligators, even though she was born in captivity and has never seen them. They are also afraid of water and will cross streams only if they can do so without getting wet (ie. crossing over fallen logs). Dian Fossey observed and noted the Mountain Gorilla's obvious dislike of rain, as well.^[22] Koko (born July 4, 1971, in San Francisco, California) is the name of a gorilla trained by Dr. Francine Penny Patterson and other scientists at Stanford University to communicate with more than 1,000 signs based on American Sign Language, and understand approximately 2,000 words of spoken English. ... Dian Fossey (January 16, 1932 – December 26, 1985) was an American zoologist who completed an extended study of eight gorilla groups. ...

Research

In October 1902, Captain Robert von Beringe (1865-1940) shot two large apes during an expedition to establish the boundaries of German East Africa.^[4] One of the apes was recovered and sent to the Zoological Museum in Berlin, where Professor Paul Matschie (1861-1926) classified the animal as a new form of gorilla and named it Gorilla beringei after the man who discovered it.^[17] In 1925 Carl Akeley, a hunter from the American Museum of Natural History who wished to study the gorillas, convinced Albert I of Belgium to establish the Albert National Park to protect the animals of the Virunga mountains.^[23] German East Africa (German: Deutsch-Ostafrika) was Germanys colony in East Africa, including what is now Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanganyika, the mainland part of present Tanzania. ... This article is about the capital of Germany. ... Paul Matschie (1861 – 1926) was a German zoologist. ... Carl Ethan Akeley (19 May 1864 - 17 November 1926) was a taxidermist, artist, biologist, conservationist, and nature photographer, noted for his contributions to American museums, most notably to the American Museum of Natural History. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Albert I (April 8, 1875 – February 17, 1934) was the third King of the Belgians. ... The Virunga National Park (formerly Albert National Park) lies from the Virunga Mountains, to the Ruwenzori Mountains, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, bordering Volcans National Park in Rwanda and Rwenzori National Park in Uganda. ...

George Schaller began his 20 month observation of the Mountain Gorillas in 1959, subsequently publishing two books: The Mountain Gorilla and The Year of the Gorilla. Little was known about the life of the Mountain Gorilla before his research, which described its social organization, life history, and ecology.^[23] Following Schaller, Dian Fossey began what would become a 13 year study in 1967. Fossey made new observations, completed the first accurate census, and established active conservation practices, such as anti-poaching patrols. Dr. George Schaller at a lecture in Beijing Zoo on Aug. ... Dian Fossey (January 16, 1932 – December 26, 1985) was an American zoologist who completed an extended study of eight gorilla groups. ... Some conservation ecologists have been concerned about the Amazon rainforest. ...

In April 2007 it was announced that a census of the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park had recorded a 6% increase in population since a census in 2002.^[24]

Conservation

Mother and infant in Volcans National Park, Rwanda

Mountain Gorillas are threatened by poaching, loss of habitat, and disease. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1500x1000, 337 KB) Original caption states: Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1500x1000, 337 KB) Original caption states: Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda. ... Volcans National Park (French: Parc National des Volcans) lies in north western Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. ... For other uses, see Poaching (disambiguation). ...

• Poaching: Mountain Gorillas are not usually hunted for bushmeat, but they are frequently maimed or killed by traps and snares intended for other animals. They have been killed for their heads, hands, and feet, which are sold to collectors. Infants are sold to zoos, researchers, and people who want them as pets. The abduction of infants generally involves the loss of at least one adult, as members of a group will fight to the death to protect their young. Poaching for meat is particularly threatening in regions of political unrest. Most of the African great apes survive in areas of chronic insecurity, where automatic weapons are readily available and where there is a breakdown of law and order. The killing of mountain gorillas at Bikenge in Virunga National Park in January 2007 was a well documented case.
• Habitat loss: The forests where Mountain Gorillas live are surrounded by rapidly increasing human settlement. The humans' need for land, food, and timber encroaches on the gorillas' habitat through roads, slash-and-burn agriculture, and logging. The resulting deforestation confines the gorillas to isolated forest islands. Some groups may raid crops for food, creating further animosity and retaliation.
• Disease: Humans and gorillas are genetically similar enough that gorillas are vulnerable to many of the same diseases as humans. However, gorillas have not developed the immunities to resist human diseases, and infections could severely impact the population. Habituated groups that are visited by tourists have the greatest risk.
• War and civil unrest: Civil wars and weak governments in central Africa, and in particular in the Congo, put conservation efforts at risk from local militias and government corruption[1].

Conservation requires work at many levels, from local to international, and involves protection and law enforcement as well as research and education: This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... “Kidnapper” redirects here. ... This article is about the agricultural practice of slash and burn. ... Logging is the process in which trees are cut down usually as part of a timber harvest which is good for the environment. ... This article is about the process of deforestation in the environment. ... Agriculture refers to the production of food, feed, fiber and other goods by the systematic growing of plants, animals and other life forms. ... ... For Noam Chomskys 2006 book, see Failed States (book). ... To conserve habitat for wild species and prevent their extinction or reduction in range is a priority of a great many groups that cannot be easily characterized in terms of any one ideology. ... Mai-Mai, also known as Mayi-Mayi, is a general term referring to a broad variety of Congolese militia groups active in the Second Congo War currently taking place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). ...

• "Active conservation includes frequent patrols in wildlife areas to destroy poacher equipment and weapons, firm and prompt law enforcement, census counts in regions of breeding and ranging concentration, and strong safeguards for the limited habitat the animals occupy."^[15]
• "Theoretical conservation seeks to encourage growth in tourism by improving existing roads that circle the mountains, by renovating the park headquarters and tourists' lodging, and by the habituation of gorillas near the park boundaries for tourists to visit and photograph."^[15]
• Community-based conservation supports African ownership, provides education on the personal as well as environmental benefits of preserving protected areas, and encourages local people to take pride in and assume some of the responsibility for the protection of their parks.^[15]

For the band, see The Police. ... A tourist boat travels the River Seine in Paris, France Tourism can be defined as the act of travel for the purpose of recreation, and the provision of services for this act. ... In psychology, habituation is an example of non-associative learning in which there is a progressive diminution of behavioral response probability with repetition of a stimulus. ...

See also

• Small population size

Species with a small population size are subject to a higher chance of extinction because their small population size makes them more vulnerable to genetic drift, resulting in stochastic variation in their gene pool, their demography and their environment. ...

References

Dr Colin Groves is a Professor of Biological Anthropology at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. ... is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List and Red Data List), created in 1963, is the worlds most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species and can be found here. ... The World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization dedicated to natural resource conservation. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 283rd day of the year (284th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 141st day of the year (142nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 112th day of the year (113th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 113th day of the year (114th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Other sources

• African Wildlife Foundation Retrieved from http://www.awf.org/index.php.
• Groves, C. (2001). Primate Taxonomy ISBN 1-56098-872-X
• Adams, D., Carwardine, M., Last Chance to See, ISBN 0-330-32002-5 Pan Books, London, 1991
• Harcourt, A.H. (1979). Social relationships among adult female mountain gorillas. In Animal Behaviour, vol. 27.

Douglas Noël Adams (11 March 1952 – 11 May 2001) was an English author, comic radio dramatist, and musician. ... Mark Carwardine (born 1959-03-09) is a zoologist, who at one time was affiliated with the World Wildlife Fund, and has been a free lance writer, photographer and zoologist since 1986. ... The front cover of the first US hardcover edition of Last Chance to See. ...

External links

• African Wildlife Foundation, mountain gorillas
• ARKive images and movies of eastern gorilla
• Mountain Gorilla Protection, Virunga, DR Congo
• "Missing DR Congo gorillas 'dead'" by Mark Kinver, BBC News, 17 August 2007

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Ape study	Ape language · Ape Trust · Dian Fossey · Birutė Galdikas · Jane Goodall · Chimpanzee genome project · Human genome project
Legal status	Personhood · Research ban · Declaration · Kinshasa Declaration · Great Ape Project · Survival Project
See also...	Bushmeat · Ape extinction · List of notable apes · List of fictional apes · Human evolution · Mythic Humanoids · Hominid · Planet of the Apes